Osian's Auction Catalogue The Masterpieces Series | March 2010

136 85 r aMeShwar B roota (b.1941) Reconstruction Oil on canvas, 1977 S/d in English ‘R.BROOTA 1977’ on verso 50.0 x 69.9 in (127.0 x 177.5 cm) Provenance THE OSIAN’s COLLECTION. INR 8,000,000 – 12,000,000 US$ 166,670 – 250,000 Rameshwar Broota has passionately explored human circumstances that demean individuals. The sardonic and bitter commentary running through his work is the result of anguish at sufferings of the poor and at the gluttony and corruption in society. ‘Reconstruction’ demonstrates Rameshwar Broota’s mastery in creating highly evocative textures through a meticulous blade nicking technique which exposes the white surface underneath giving it a brilliant effect creating deep space dimensions. This process gives his works a print like effect. Restricting his palette to slate grey (mostly paints in the monochrome technique, usually painting the base matte black), Broota addresses issues of human isolation as well as conscious nastiness among people. A keen observer, Broota conveys complex allegory in a somber style. His early works depict the emaciated bleak figures of laborers, highlighting his compassion with the oppressed and marginalized people of society. Broota started with his allegorical ‘Ape Series’, marking a clear departure from the darker and more realistic portraiture that signified his earlier work. This series was the precursor to Broota’s Proto-man and showcases the artist’s sense of humour. In this series, he has depicted the anthropomorphic ape in various activities, specifically mimicking human behaviour. Broota uses these serious yet comical settings to satirise the pillars of society, normally the police and the judiciary, documenting India’s decadence and corruption. The artist plays with viewers’ perceptions by giving them enormous possibilities of interpretation. Broota’s work has an abstract bent with symbols communicating the rhythm of time, man, and existence. Like many other works of the series, the ‘ape’ with the police uniform and a lot of medals appears in ‘Reconstruction’, mocking at social systems. There were a number of films, television series and books revolving around humanized apes during the early 70’s. The figure of the human being symbolically becoming ape with a gradual detachment from emotion, creativity and finer sensibilities, ruled the creative circuit during that time.